Fossil fuel lawsuits could get second look at Supreme Court

OIL & GAS: Oil companies ask the Supreme Court to consider again whether state and local government lawsuits seeking climate damages from fossil fuel companies belong in state or federal courts. (E&E News)

ALSO:
• Since Russia invaded Ukraine, U.S. companies have secured at least 19 deals to export nearly 24 million tons of liquified natural gas per year, a new report finds. (Inside Climate News)
• A fire at the country’s second-largest liquified natural gas export terminal will close the Gulf Coast facility for at least three weeks. (Reuters, Forbes)

STORAGE:
• Two companies announce breakthroughs related to solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, with one finishing installation of a production line and the other developing a key material that can be used as an electrolyte. (Inside Climate News)
• Developers have recently scrapped at least a dozen major energy storage projects amid supply chain delays, endangering proposed solar and wind developments. (Reuters)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The Biden administration proposes standards for electric vehicle fast charging stations along federal highways, saying they should be located no more than 50 miles apart and 1 mile from a highway. (New York Times)

SOLAR: The Biden administration’s decision to pause solar panel import tariffs is a win for U.S. solar developers, but draws ire from some manufacturers. (Canary Media)

UTILITIES:
• A watchdog group reports Southern Company paid $62 million to organizations known for spreading climate change disinformation as it became the third-largest greenhouse gas polluter in the U.S. (Guardian)
• Pacific Gas & Electric unveils a plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, but stops short of a full phase-out of natural gas. (Associated Press)

NUCLEAR: Modular reactor developer NuScale Power reports a $23.4 million net loss for the first quarter but says its financial outlook is still strong. (Utility Dive)

LABOR: A New York City startup hires and trains residents living in neighborhoods with significant gun violence for clean energy careers. (Green Biz)

BUILDINGS: The operator of the Boston area’s almost 90-year-old district steam system plans to transition to electric boilers and heat pumps to minimize its use of on-site gas units. (Canary Media)

ACTIVISM: Virginia’s relatively new chapter of national climate justice organization Third Act gives retirees and other older activists a vehicle to protest the Mountain Valley Pipeline and other fossil fuel infrastructure. (Energy News Network)

COMMENTARY:
• A climate journalist outlines how President Biden’s climate goals depend on the Korean War-era Defense Production Act, which has so far been invoked to boost electric vehicles, solar, and energy efficiency. (The Atlantic)
• The U.S. should look to Australia’s solar regulations and permitting processes as it aims to boost the industry, electrification advocate Saul Griffith argues. (New York Times)